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Rutgers' anemic running game awaiting word on injured RB Paul James

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Running back Paul James, injured in the first half of Rutgers' loss at Connecticut on Saturday, was listed as "50-50" by coach Kyle Flood for the regular-season finale against USF this weekend.
(William Perlman/The Star-Ledger)

Paul James’ uncertain status for Rutgers’ game against USF on Saturday has put even more stress on one of the nation’s worst running games – and could result in an increase in the zone read plays that became a significant part of the offensive approach during last Saturday’s 28-17 loss to Connecticut.

Coach Kyle Flood put James at “50-50” for the regular-season finale – a must-win game for the bowl-hopeful Scarlet Knights – adding that he is “personally probably more optimistic that he will be able to go this week.”

James, Rutgers’ leading rusher this season with 720 yards despite missing four games, rushed for 49 yards on 11 carries before suffering what appeared to be a left knee or leg injury in the second quarter against the Huskies. It was a right leg injury that sidelined James for eight weeks earlier this season.

As a team, Rutgers – No. 100 nationally in rushing – managed just 68 yards on 31 carries against UConn. Justin Goodwin, Savon Huggins and quarterback Chas Dodd combined for 19 yards on 20 carries. That became an even bigger issue as James sat out the second half.

That was a “true” rushing total, too, since Dodd wasn’t sacked and no sack yardage was subtracted from the rushing total. Dodd did have six carries (netting just one yard) on zone read keepers.

“We’re going to have to look at all options because when I look at our running game after watching the film now twice we’re just not effective enough running the football when Paul James isn’t in there and we have to be more effective.” Flood said. “We have to do a better job blocking up front. We have to do a better job blocking on the perimeter. The ones up front I think are obvious. There are ones that aren’t so obvious where a receiver has to get in on a safety and he is blocked by a corner. Those are things we can be better at immediately and we need to be.”

Rutgers, 5-6 and in need of a victory to become bowl eligible, is averaging 129.8 rushing yards per game. In four of the past six games, the Scarlet Knights have failed to rush for even 70 yards.